Executive Director, Security & Classified Operations and Chief Security Officer

Job Type: Regular

OverviewRAND is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that provides leaders with the information they need to make evidence-based decisions. In pursuing this mission, RAND helps sponsors at the highest levels of U.S. national and homeland security and in related roles throughout the U.S. government with their toughest problems. This requires the ability to conduct work at all levels of classification while using cutting-edge computing and analytic capabilities, and it requires RAND to remain a close and trusted partner with these officials and agencies by upholding the highest standards of security.

To accomplish this, the S&CO organization works in partnership with RAND’s research divisions, Information Services (IS), and Workplace Services to ensure we have top-notch classified research capabilities and security processes that enable researchers to conduct their work effectively, efficiently, and responsibly, while maintaining uncompromising security.

Position Description As a member of RAND’s senior leadership team, reporting to the senior vice president, chief financial and operating officer, the executive director leads the 55-person S&CO organization and serves as RAND’s Chief Security Officer. The executive director will develop and provide classified research capabilities that enable researchers in RAND’s Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and other research divisions to execute cutting-edge, complex research responsive to the top priorities of U.S. national and homeland security.

This requires being able to quickly establish capabilities to meet new and evolving needs, high-performance computing that stays on the leading edge at all levels of classification (including the rapidly evolving AI capabilities that have become critical to research), and the ability to collaborate virtually across RAND offices and with a very broad array of government sponsors. Over the last few years, S&CO has significantly upgraded RAND’s classified capabilities, and its culture has been shifting from a compliance orientation to a mission-focused partnership with researchers.

We’re looking for a leader to build on the progress by continuing to bring all capabilities to the cutting edge of technology particularly with respect to using an array of AI capabilities in research, deepen the partnership culture, and further develop S&CO into a high-performing, service-oriented team with a one-team mindset, all while upholding the highest standards for security to protect classified information and people.

The executive director’s scope includes:

All RAND classified capabilities, encompassing government systems, facilities, and computing, including ensuring compute, storage, and application capabilities stay aligned with research needs and compliance requirements.

Security policies and programs, including RAND’s National Industrial Security Program (NISP) obligations, intelligence, insider threat, counterintelligence, personnel security, physical security, safety, emergency preparedness and incident response, communications security, document control, operational security, security investigations, Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) operations, and Special Access Program (SAP) operations.

The hiring and development of classified IT and security staff across RAND’s U.S. offices in Santa Monica, Pittsburgh, and Arlington. In managing classified IT, the executive director works in close partnership with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the rest of IS regarding the acquisition and maintenance of IT and the hiring and development of IT staff. The executive director also has advisory responsibility for security matters for RAND’s non-U.S.…